300 win mag and shoulder trauma

I am 51 years old, weigh about 155 lbs and have been shooting all my life. I moved up to a 7mm magnum from a 30 06 about 25 years ago, and about 2 years ago finally sold it and bought a 300 win mag. I am not recoil sensitive and love the caliber but about 3 months ago I was at the range and shot about 25 rounds through it in one sitting.

My shoulder was a little sore when I left , but got much worse and I have been having quite a bit of pain with it every day. Went to the Dr. and he x-ray'd it and said yeah he could see it was inflamed, gave me some ibuprofen and sent me home.

My shoulder seems to be getting better very slowly, but I really do not want to go through this again, and have been thinking it is time to move down to a softer recoiling caliber.

I have been thinking about 30 06 or 308. really want to go with an established , easy to find caliber that will not go " out of style " if several years. Also easy to find in out of the way stores with limited selection.

I am 51 years old, weigh about 155 lbs and have been shooting all my life. I moved up to a 7mm magnum from a 30 06 about 25 years ago, and about 2 years ago finally sold it and bought a 300 win mag. I am not recoil sensitive and love the caliber but about 3 months ago I was at the range and shot about 25 rounds through it in one sitting.

My shoulder was a little sore when I left , but got much worse and I have been having quite a bit of pain with it every day. Went to the Dr. and he x-ray'd it and said yeah he could see it was inflamed, gave me some ibuprofen and sent me home.

My shoulder seems to be getting better very slowly, but I really do not want to go through this again, and have been thinking it is time to move down to a softer recoiling caliber.

I have been thinking about 30 06 or 308. really want to go with an established , easy to find caliber that will not go " out of style " if several years. Also easy to find in out of the way stores with limited selection.

There are some very effective muzzle breaks. That would definitely would be the way to go so you can keep your rifle.

__________________
Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

I am not real excited about muzzle brakes because of the increased noise. I already have some hearing loss and want to keep what I have left , probably will not have hearing protectors on in the field.

I agree with the other guys. A muzzle brake lets you shoot relaxed with a good trigger pull.
Also, think about getting a stock without alot of drop at the butt plate. Straight back is better than back & up. It alllows a good follow through at the shot.

I am 51 years old, weigh about 155 lbs and have been shooting all my life. I moved up to a 7mm magnum from a 30 06 about 25 years ago, and about 2 years ago finally sold it and bought a 300 win mag. I am not recoil sensitive and love the caliber but about 3 months ago I was at the range and shot about 25 rounds through it in one sitting.

My shoulder was a little sore when I left , but got much worse and I have been having quite a bit of pain with it every day. Went to the Dr. and he x-ray'd it and said yeah he could see it was inflamed, gave me some ibuprofen and sent me home.

My shoulder seems to be getting better very slowly, but I really do not want to go through this again, and have been thinking it is time to move down to a softer recoiling caliber.

I have been thinking about 30 06 or 308. really want to go with an established , easy to find caliber that will not go " out of style " if several years. Also easy to find in out of the way stores with limited selection.

I am leaning toward 308 , but would like any input you can give.

Thanks

Go with a .308 if you want. You could always rechamber your .300win for a .300wsm. Its got basically the same performance out of a smaller,more efficient round. My best friend has a win mag and it reallllly is a heavy hitter. My .300wsm recoils alot less with 180gr bullets and smaller bullets. If you like shooting the 200-220gr bullets then I would still stick a brake on the end. But my .300wsm is a pleasant rifle to shoot with a decent recoil pad. Im 23, and even I dont want to shoot an unbraked .300win 25 times straight. There comes a time when you have to admit that a caliber is just toooo much. Id say the .300wsm will be around for quite some time. Norma, nosler, and winchester make brass for this cartridge and bullet selection will always be around. But good luck with your decision!

__________________"...I shoot big cartridges, not because I am ego bound, not because they are needed to kill big game when well placed shots are made, but when an error is made, they will get you out of trouble more often then a lesser round."

I you don't want the break, get a lead sled and don't shoot 25 times anymore!!!
I seriously doubt that in the field one shot or a few is going to matter to your shoulder. Unless you have previous posterior dislocations or multi directional instability, it's not gonna happen